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Several parents picking up their kids at a Scarborough elementary school on Wednesday told News 8's Paul Merrill they voted for the school budget on Tuesday even though it included a property tax hike of almost 8 percent.

"I think it's worth it to have good schools. That's why we moved to Scarborough," said one mother.

But the majority of voters in Scarborough disagreed -- rejecting the budget proposal.

Turnout in Scarborough was about 10 percent, a fairly high number compared to places like Lewiston, where 2.5 percent of eligible voters went to the polls on Tuesday. Portland had a turnout of about 4.5 percent.

Portland Mayor Michael Brennan thinks these referendum elections are a waste of money.

"Last year, fewer than 10 percent of voters in Portland voted in the referendum process and it costs us between $13,000 and $15,000 every time we have one of these referendums," said Brennan.

This year, about 2,200 voters took part in an election that cost $13,000.

That means, for every voter who cast a ballot in Portland on Tuesday, the city spent almost $6.

Voters had the chance to change this process but instead decided to keep voting on the school budget every year.

Portland voters approved that measure by almost 300 votes.

"To me, it's a privilege to vote and I should have my say and if I don't, it's not my neighborhood then," said one woman voter.

Brennan said there are plenty of opportunities for the public to weigh in on school budgets before going to the polls.

In Scarborough, the district has 45 days to put a new budget plan together.